Aug. 2.
So numerous and gross have been the recent instances of mismanagement on the part of Chinese officials that foreign residents may well be excused if they display a tendency to a certain indifference when yet another is brought very directly to their. notice. There need, however, be no apology for referring here to the series of articles which we conclude today regarding the affairs municipal of the ex-Russian_ Concession at Tientsin. It is common knowledge, of course, that the Chinese administration of ex-enemy Concessions in China has been found sadly lacking in many respects. Her failure, indeed, has been Ithe subject of serious protest on the part of various Chambers of Commerce and other bodies. It was generally felt, however, that when she came to take over the Russian Concessions at Hankow ad Tientsin not only would she profit from the mistakes made in the matter of German and Austrian property but that the importance of retaining a sincere friendship with so close a neighbour as Russia—even though Russia appeared likely to remain under a cloud for some little time— would have ensured adequate protection and proper, administration of the Russian properties. The hope, unfortunately, has proved as illusive as so.many others entertained in regard to affairs Chinese. The articles which we have published go far to indicate that there has been constant maladministration since the Chinese authorities assumed control in September, 1920, and that there is now reliable evidence of at least two distinct' attempts at a very serious breach of faith vis-d-vis of the foreign owners of property in the Concession.
We are all too well acquainted with the dire financial straits through which Peking has of late months been passing; we are also equally aware of the extreme lengths to which politicians and officials in China will resort in order to turn a penny, honest or otherwise, for immediate needs. It looks very much as "though officialdom in the north had all of a sudden come to a realization of the glorious opportunity ready to hand in the shape of the undeveloped land in the ex-Russian Concession, conservatively valued at Tls. 1,500,000. A' Chinese official, the Tientsin Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, having been placed in' authority, what could be easier than the sale of these lands for the replenishing of the empty Peking or Provincial coffers? Fortunately for the very large British, Japanese, and American interests involved, not only has there been a strong Municipal Council watching the rights of landowners but the Russian Government, having purchased and paid for the land, had made certain agreements with the Russo-Asiatic Bank, whose representatives may be depended upon not to allow these lightly to be 1elinquished.
The Diplomatic Body being aware of the matter, it may be hoped that this breach of all rules of international courtesy—not to mention rights—is doomed to certain disappointment. It is chiefly in order to strengthen this feeling of safety that we have gone into the matter very fully in these articles. The Diplomatic Body
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.